Fort Worth Chamber announces new CEO after months-long search for replacement
The months-long search for a new leader of the Fort Worth Chamber is over. Chamber leaders announced Wednesday morning that Steve Montgomery will be the chamber’s new chief executive officer starting July 31.
Hillwood President Mike Berry has served as iterim CEO since February when former leader Brandom Gengelbach stepped down after seven years spent at the chamber.
During Berry’s leadership, the Fort Worth Chamber announced a new structure that spins off the role of economic development to a new organization, the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, led by Robert Allen. Allen formerly was deputy chief of staff to Gov. Greg Abbott.
The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership will now focus more on business attraction and recruitment, while the traditional chamber will emphasize business retention.
Montgomery formerly worked as a government relations and strategic communications consultant in North Texas, according to the Fort Worth Chamber’s release Wednesday. Montgomery has had more than three decades of experience in stakeholder relations management, executive leadership, business management and strategic planning, the release said.
“We are thrilled to have Steve Montgomery join us as the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber,” Rosa Navejar, chair of the Chamber’s board of directors, said in a release. “Steve’s extensive experience and deep roots in the community make him an ideal candidate to lead our organization. We believe his strategic vision and commitment to fostering business growth will greatly benefit the Fort Worth business community.”
Key focus areas of Montgomery’s role will include infrastructure and transportation, business retention, workforce development and government relations advocacy. The Chamber will continue to grow its members access to resources and research and offer networking opportunities to develop its membership base.
“The Fort Worth Chamber is dedicated to being the leading voice of business in our city,” Montgomery said in a release. “I am honored to join this incredible organization and work alongside our partners to prioritize workforce development, infrastructure and transportation, business retention, government relations advocacy, and membership development. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and prosperous community for all.”
Hillwood’s Berry said, in a release, his time as interim leader has reinforced his belief that the Chamber is an amazing organization.
“Now, with Steve at the helm to lead the team, we are positioned to make an even larger impact on the Fort Worth business community,” Berry said in a release.
